Economic development forum targets regional growth

Wednesday

Jul 18, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 18, 2012 at 6:04 PM

A recent effort to identify land for either development or preservation shows state appreciation for MetroWest’s economic importance and provides a guide for residents and business, local lawmakers said yesterday.

Michael Morton/Daily News staff

A recent effort to identify land for either development or preservation shows state appreciation for MetroWest’s economic importance and provides a guide for residents and business, local lawmakers said yesterday.

The 150-page 495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan covers 37 cities and towns, and is meant to guide land-use decisions and infrastructure investments in the area for the next 20 years.

The drafting of the report involved cities and towns, public meetings and regional planning agencies, but was initially sought by Gregory Bialecki, state secretary of Housing and Economic Development.

“He believes this area of the state is so important, he selected (it),” said state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland.

Spilka spoke at an economic roundtable held at the 495/MetroWest Partnership offices in Westborough by Democratic state Rep. Carolyn Dykema for her district — Hopkinton, Medway, Southborough, Westborough and Holliston, her hometown.

“Clearly, that’s been job one for us over the last three years,” Dykema said, referring to restarting economic growth.

The House is working on a bill that she said updates 2010 legislation by streamlining permitting, training workers, encouraging infrastructure investments and expanding tax credits for growth, among other measures.

Economic development representatives from Dykema’s district then ran through a list of accomplishments in their towns, including:

Holliston, which now offers a more-coordinated process for applying for permits;

Southborough, where a private group has put out a brochure highlighting the business community and invited corporate speakers to library talks;

Hopkinton, where the local chamber of commerce is working with the town to attract business;

Westborough, where “ambassadors” from the Economic Development Committee have been meeting with businesses to hear their concerns and where the town soon expects tenants for a vacant 100,000-square-foot building and a 70,000-square-foot one;

Medway, where the town is making progress on tracking down remaining owners from a 1920s soda company promotion that gave away slivers of land, and hopes to have a feasibility study ready this fall on developing the 40-acre site.

Medway also expects an application this fall for a 35,000-square-foot development on Rte. 109 and plans to hire a part-time economic development staffer.

Town representatives cautioned, though, that they are facing challenges providing enough water and sewage treatment for further growth. Transportation was also discussed, especially in Westborough, where the town wants a way to take private workers from the commuter rail station to offices.

(Michael Morton can be reached at 508-626-4338 or mmorton@wickedlocal.com.)